UIU the place for Francis
By Kristi Nixon
FAYETTE — It only took a matter of a couple of days for Osage’s Jaden Francis to decide that Upper Iowa University was the place for her when it came to choosing her home for volleyball and academics.
The all-state libero for the Green Devils said she initially considered going out-of-state, but the lure of Fayette and everything about UIU was home to her.
“Everyone was super-nice,” Francis said, “and very welcoming. It was such a cool environment to be in. I originally wanted to go out of state, but when I contacted Upper Iowa and went on a visit there, I simply fell in love with everything there. It felt like the right place for me, so two days after that I ended up committing. I just knew it was the right place.”
Francis, who holds the school record for digs with 1,172 after the 2022 season was completed, also recently earned Class 3A Central District and honorable mention all-state. She said that she doesn’t expect to play for the Peacocks right away.
UIU, an NAIA school, was 14-13 overall in 2022 with a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference record of 8-12.
“I’m not expecting to play because they have a very good defensive specialist,” Francis said, “but hopefully in the next couple of years, I’ll get some playing time, but who knows? I might work my butt off and get a starting spot.”
